Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Robert E. Gerstung

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Arlington National Cemetery
66-6152

BORN:August 06, 1915 at Chicago, IL

Entered Service in the US
Army from Chicago, IL

Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
December 19, 1944 at Siegfried Line, Germany

DIED:June
17, 1979 at the age of 63

For eight hours
Technical Sergeant Gerstung maintained a position near the
Siegfried Line made almost untenable by artillery and mortar fire
concentrated upon it and the proximity of enemy troops who threw
hand grenades into the emplacement. While all other members of his
squad became casualties, he remained at his gun. When he ran out
of ammunition, he dashed across open terrain to secure a new
supply from a disabled tank. A fierce barrage pierced the water
jacket of his gun, but he continued to fire until the weapon
overheated and jammed. He crawled 50 yards across coverless ground
to another of his company's machineguns which had been silenced
when its crew was killed and continued to man this gun. When he
came under fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his
hand he was not driven from his position. When the American forces
were ordered to retire he remained at his gun, giving the only
covering fire. Finally withdrawing, he cradled the weapon in his
left arm, slung a belt of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked
to the rear. One hundred yards from safety, he was struck in the
leg by a mortar shell; but crawled the remaining distance,
dragging along the gun which had served him and his comrades so
well.